Perkins, Silver Stars regain form

Updated 11:35 pm, Saturday, August 25, 2012

Jia Perkins gets into the lane against Ivory Latta as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Jia Perkins gets into the lane against Ivory Latta as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Jia Perkins is fouled going up by Ivory Latta as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Jia Perkins is fouled going up by Ivory Latta as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Ziomara Morrison and Shenise Johnson play tough defense in the lane as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Ziomara Morrison and Shenise Johnson play tough defense in the lane as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Danielle Robinson bounces into the front court as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Danielle Robinson bounces into the front court as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Danielle Adams gets a block on Glory Johnson as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Danielle Adams gets a block on Glory Johnson as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Becky Hammon presses through Ivory Latta as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Becky Hammon presses through Ivory Latta as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Jayne Appel beats Amber Holt to the basket as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Jayne Appel beats Amber Holt to the basket as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Jayne Appel turns to the bucket for a layup as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Jayne Appel turns to the bucket for a layup as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Ziomara Morrison warms up as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Ziomara Morrison warms up as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Tangela Smith gets loose under the hoop as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Tangela Smith gets loose under the hoop as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Shock center Courtney Paris is guarded by Danielle Adams a the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Shock center Courtney Paris is guarded by Danielle Adams a the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Danielle Robinson races around the left as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Danielle Robinson races around the left as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Shameka Christon posts in the second half as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Shameka Christon posts in the second half as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Shenise Johnson goes up under pressure as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Shenise Johnson goes up under pressure as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Becky Hammon twists through defense in the second half a the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Becky Hammon twists through defense in the second half a the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Sophia Young goes in for a layup against Glory Johnson as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Sophia Young goes in for a layup against Glory Johnson as the Silver Stars host the Tulsa Shock at the AT&T Center on August 25, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Perkins, Silver Stars regain form

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Jia Perkins probably would have liked to say that she did something different. She probably would have liked to say she spent an extraordinary amount of time after practices hoisting jumpers in an attempt to work her way out of a recent shooting slump. But that just wasn't the case.

Instead, Perkins found that the best remedy for snapping out of her shooting funk was a simple one.

“(My shots) just went in,” Perkins said. “I shot them the same way.''

Perkins' game-high 21 points off the bench powered the Silver Stars past Tulsa 91-71 on Saturday before 9,029 fans at the AT&T Center.

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The victory, the Silver Stars' franchise-record ninth straight at home, came two days after the team had their 12-game winning streak snapped at Los Angeles.

“We didn't play so well against L.A., and we had to retune our focus to Tulsa,” said Danielle Adams, who scored 18 points in 20 minutes off the bench. “We came out aggressive. That's how we have to come out every game.''

That aggressiveness was evident during a game-changing run to start the second quarter. The Silver Stars (17-6) opened the second period with a 17-0 run, turning a 27-25 deficit into a 42-27 advantage.

Adams and Perkins each had six points. Danielle Robinson added four of her eight points during the run.

“The bench's job is to come in and contribute,” Adams said. “Jia and I came off the bench ready and willing to contribute any way we can.''

The biggest contribution came on the defensive end. Tulsa (4-19) missed all six of its attempts and committed three turnovers during the decisive run.

“I thought the first quarter, we just didn't defend in a Silver Stars way,” coach Dan Hughes said. “We were able to play out of our defense, and it really is a huge part.''

The Silver Stars led 50-38 at halftime and extended their lead to 25 in the second half. They were so much in control that Sophia Young, who had 15 points, and Becky Hammon, who added 13, didn't play during the fourth quarter.

“I was really impressed with the Silver Stars,” said Tulsa coach Gary Kloppenburg, whose team was playing its second game in as many nights after defeating Chicago 81-78 in overtime on Friday.

“They have all the weapons. With the way they shoot the ball, they are capable of going a long way this year in the playoffs.”

Perkins was the biggest benefactor of the Silver Stars getting out in transition, making 6 of 12 shots, including five 3-pointers. She had connected on just 8 of 27 attempts in the previous three games combined.

“It's always easier to hit your shots whenever you make your layups first,” Perkins said. “If you get that easy one, it makes it easier for the second, third, fourth to go down.''